“Jeez ,” Philip said quietly, and sat down heavily on his chair. “Annie … why? Why did you do this?” he wondered out loud.

“But you and Aerin managed to clear the air, right?” Matt asked.

I nodded at Matt. “Yeah, we did. I think we’re stronger together, as a result of this.”

Philip was shaking his head, and protested, “But you could have just as easily really fallen apart, Harley. I know you’re strong, but ….”

“I’m not dwelling on it, Philip,” I said quietly. “All I’m thinking about right now is Aerin and how she’s doing.”

“Yeah .. about that. What is she doing, Harley?” Matt asked.

“She’s part of this plan that is intended to catch that guy who’s apparently looking for me … the details of it are hazy, but I’ve got a satellite phone with me that somebody will call to give me updates, etc,” I answered, and then checked my watch.

“Part of the plan involves her going to the big concert of that diva who’s making a comeback … and that’s getting underway right now, I think,” I added, and rechecked my watch. I looked in the general direction of the side table next to the bed. I’d left the satellite phone Aerin had given to me on top of the side table after Jack, Aerin’s friend who was helping her out, had called me just before Philip had knocked on my door earlier. He’d said things were on track and that someone was supposed to call me before the concert started, to let me know what was going on.

If he doesn’t call in the next fifteen minutes or so I’ll call him myself.

Philip was holding his head with both hands, muttering under his breath.

Matt glanced over at him, and then looked at me. “So what do you think, Harley? Is there anything we can do to help you now? I assume you have some kind of communication plan …” his voice trailed off.

I licked my lips and sighed, feeling increasingly stressed.

“Someone’s supposed to call me with updates, but honestly, if no one does in the next fifteen minutes, I’ll call the last number that they’d used to call me from, to find out what’s going on,” I said.